Leonhard is only 5-foot-8, 188 pounds and suffered major injuries the previous two seasons. But he is also remarkably instinctive and an experienced starter on some of the NFL’s better defenses in recent years. He started 13 games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 and 40 games combined for the New York Jets from 2009-11.

Leonhard, 29, suffered a broken leg to end his season in 2010 and blew out his knee near the end of 2011. The Broncos entered training camp with a rotating trio of Mike Adams, Rahim Moore and Carter at safety.

Don’t be surprised if the Broncos also use Leonhard as a punt returner. Currently, starting receiver Eric Decker is the Broncos’ best punt returner but they’d rather keep him busy catching Peyton Manning passes. Leonhard had at least 20 punt returns in the three seasons from 2008-2010.

Nice! Good to see the Broncos land another strong veteran guy. I know Leonhard comes with some injury risk, but–like with so many other Broncos–if he can stay healthy, he will only add to what the Broncos are trying to do this year!

immaculate

I got this car home from Go Elway, and the engine was blown. Elway said, hey it’s ok we can fix it for you for about 100 million dollars…

5280broncosfan

This is a great move if Leonhard can stay healthy. He was Rex Ryan’s favorite defensive player for years and contributes. Rex Ryan is a dumb head coach, but he is a brilliant d-coordinator and if he is a fan, Leohard must be a hard-nosed safety. This just bolsetrs the team’s already improved secondary. Elway just keeps making great moves.

Anonymous

We need another Dawkins, or Atwater……..

joebronc

It’s called reaching for straws. This is what happens when you put a rookie VP in the organization and give him all the power. that draft sucked, let the pain and lack of vision haunt them till Manning and Elway are both gone.

Harald Harb

Its sad and I don’t like to say it, but the Broncos are struggling. They have a old team that’s going to get killed and they will regret the day they traded Tebow. One good hit and Manning is out and everyone knows it.

HolyDiver

Are we talking about the same team? You’re saying the Broncos are old? they are one of the younger teams in the league. I think you are just a Tebow fan and never were a Bronco fan. A lot of your kind floating. One good hit and any QB could be finished for the season. The Broncos are the opposite of struggling so why waste your time venting about the Tebow trade. That was 4 months ago.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.